The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro

"The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro is a speech by Fredrick Douglass. This speech entails much of what other pieces would in this time period. Topics such as inequality and slavery are common among these. Douglass effectively uses his status as a basis for improvement. Much like other influential speakers at this time period, Douglass was African American (Douglass). This in itself, can be a strong characteristic of Realism. I say this because Douglass, as an African American, can find it quite difficult to obtain a successful audience who would take his ideals with recognition, praise, and action. He spoke to a white congregation, making this speech much more influential (Douglass). Its ability to retain much recognition can be due to the amount of questioning in relation to equality and slavery. Because slavery is a high morally questioning subject, various speakers did their best to establish a position or active duty in the abolition of slavery. The speech, addressed in 1852, during the Civil War, reflects this time period (Douglass). During this, much debate over slavery and equality determined the United States stature. This is yet another characteristic of Realism. With the amount of debate, death, and division in the United States, much Realism is placed upon Douglass and his speech. With Douglass' use of emotion and factual prominence, his speech was more effective and retain-able. Because of this, "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" is yet another descriptive and effective examples of Realism.

Freedom is a well-deserved but earned privilege in the United States. The source of this earned privilege would be the one's who sacrificed themselves. The various political officials who determined the United State's political and economical basis would be strong sources of this freedom. Due to this, much respect must be directed toward these successful sources. July Fourth, an often joyous holiday, can be contradicting in itself (Douglass). Douglass feels that this holiday is driven upon hypocritical freedom (Douglass). The holiday celebrates equality, establishment, and freedom, yet it cannot be celebrated by all who inhabit the nation. Slavery, being as prominent as it was in this period, completely contradicted the holiday of July Fourth. It stifled many African American's lives and abilities to further grow and expand in the United States. Without the strong ability to grow in a developing society, one will lose their position and become a white-washed class. This is yet another contradiction which can correlate with the literary style, Realism. With Douglass' strong emotion and devotion toward the holiday and its falsified intentions, a large characteristic of Realism can be retained. The characteristic of factual content, false heroes, and contradicting subjects can determine and relate to this literary style. By allowing his personality to be reflected in this speech, Douglass effectively spoke about his response and connection with the holiday of Fourth of the July. By allowing this absolute connection, a significant historical piece was created. Douglass, much like other speakers on this subject, was completely aware of the inequality. He spoke for the masses who could not find a strong voice in the altering society. Much like others before him, Douglass wanted piece and equality. Due to this, his speech was effective and prominent in all of its entirety.

Douglass, Frederick. from "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro." Glencoe American Literature.comp. Wilhelm, Jeffery. McGraw Hill. Columbus, OH. 2009. pg 337.